Is a weeknight dinner that tastes like a restaurant possible in 30 minutes? Easy Honey Mustard Mozzarella Chicken puts the keyword Easy Honey Mustard Mozzarella Chicken in front of hungry readers and delivers a fast, crowd-pleasing meal. This guide is cleaner than most, with step-by-step results, swaps, and storage tips tailored for North American kitchens. In this guide, you’ll learn how to make a juicy, cheesy honey mustard chicken that reheats beautifully and pleases picky eaters.
What Is Easy Honey Mustard Mozzarella Chicken?
This dish is chicken breasts seared, topped with a honey mustard glaze, a spoonful of marinara, and melted mozzarella. It blends sweet, tangy, and savory into an approachable baked entree that works for families and weeknight meal prep.
It is not a complicated sauce, and you can use jarred honey mustard and marinara for ultra-fast prep. The method locks in juices, and the mozzarella adds a creamy, melty finish that appeals to all ages.
Quick Facts about Easy Honey Mustard Mozzarella Chicken:
- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cook time: 25 to 30 min
- Calories: ~450 kcal per serving (estimate)
Nutritional highlights:
- Protein: high, from chicken, about 30 to 35 g per serving
- Fat: moderate, due to oil and cheese, about 18 g per serving
- For authoritative calorie guidance, see USDA resources.
Ingredients & Equipment
Gathering ingredients and the right pan simplifies the build. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, regular mozzarella, your favorite honey mustard, and a simple marinara. A heavy skillet plus a baking dish will get you from stovetop to oven with minimal mess.
Essential ingredients (for 4 servings):
- 4 chicken breasts, about 480 g total
- 2 tbsp olive oil, 30 mL
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 tbsp honey mustard, 60 g
- 1 cup marinara sauce, 240 mL
- 1 to 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella, 100 to 150 g
Equipment:
- Skillet that can go to oven
- 22 x 30 cm baking dish
- Instant-read thermometer (recommended)
Easy Honey Mustard Mozzarella Chicken
Ingredients
Essential ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken breasts, about 480 g total Boneless, skinless
- 2 tbsp olive oil Approximately 30 mL
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 tbsp honey mustard Approximately 60 g
- 1 cup marinara sauce Approximately 240 mL
- 1 to 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella Approximately 100 to 150 g
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Place the seared chicken in a baking dish.
Cooking
- Spread honey mustard over the chicken breasts.
- Pour marinara sauce on top, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to ensure golden sear, proper cooking, and melty cheese. Each step includes the expected result so you know when to move on.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Action: Set oven and let it reach temperature.
- Expected result: Oven at steady 375°F, ready for baking.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Action: Pat dry, then season both sides.
- Expected result: Evenly seasoned chicken for better crust and flavor.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Action: Sear until color develops, do not fully cook.
- Expected result: Golden brown exterior, juices sealed inside.
Place the seared chicken in a baking dish.
- Action: Transfer carefully to dish, arrange spaced.
- Expected result: Chicken ready for topping and oven.
Spread honey mustard over the chicken breasts.
- Action: Spoon and spread evenly.
- Expected result: A sweet-tangy glaze layer, 1 to 2 mm thick.
Pour marinara sauce on top, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
- Action: Add 2 tbsp marinara per breast, then top with 25 to 40 g mozzarella.
- Expected result: Even coverage that will bubble and brown.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly.
- Action: Bake, check internal temperature.
- Expected result: Chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temp, cheese melts and browns.
Serve hot.
- Action: Rest for 5 min, then plate.
- Expected result: Juicy, sliced chicken with melted cheese.
Chef tip: If breasts are thick, slice horizontally to 1.5 cm or pound gently so cooking is even and fast.
Variations & Substitutes
Adapt this recipe to diet needs or regional tastes. Swaps change texture and nutrition but keep the core flavor profile intact. Below are quick alternatives and their effects on cook time and taste.
Low-carb:
- Use sugar-free honey mustard, serve with roasted cauliflower.
- Time: unchanged, Nutrition: lower carbs.
Italian twist:
- Replace honey mustard with pesto drizzle, use tomato-basil marinara.
- Flavor: herb-forward, Time: same.
Vegetarian option:
- Use thick eggplant slices, pre-roast 10 min.
- Texture: meat-free, Time: +10 min.
Mistakes to Avoid
Beginners often overcook or underseason. These five common errors are easy to fix and make the difference between dry and juicy results.
- Checklist:
- Underdone sear, fix by 2 to 3 min per side for color.
- Skipping resting, fix by resting 5 min to retain juices.
- Using low-heat only, fix by searing then baking for proper crust.
- Adding too much sauce, fix by limiting to 2 tbsp per breast.
- Not checking temperature, fix by using a thermometer, 165°F (74°C).
Storage & Reuse
Store leftovers properly to maintain texture. Refrigerate in an airtight container within 2 hours, and use within 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid rubbery cheese.
- Tips:
- Refrigerate: up to 3 days at 4°C.
- Freeze: up to 3 months, wrap tightly.
- Reheat: 160°C oven for 10 to 12 min covered, or microwave 90 to 120 seconds on medium.
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Related Recipes / See Also
If you love this, try our variations and complementary mains for weeknight dinners and family meals.
- If you love quick cheesy dinners, try our 30-minute chicken enchiladas recipe for another fast weeknight option.
- For a creamy pasta pairing, see chicken and shrimp Alfredo.
- Craving Tex-Mex? Compare flavors with sour cream chicken enchiladas.
- For a hearty bowl, check street corn chicken rice bowl.
Conclusion
Easy Honey Mustard Mozzarella Chicken is a fast, reliable recipe that balances sweet, tangy, and cheesy notes while staying friendly for busy nights. Follow the steps for predictable results, use the swaps to fit your diet, and store leftovers safely. Ready in under 40 minutes, it is a dependable go-to that elevates simple ingredients into a memorable meal.
